Peppers still a Panther, for now

I was in a restaurant Tuesday when the scroll at the bottom of the television screen reached the rumored Panthers-Patriots Julius Peppers trade.

Patrons cheered.

I don't know when Carolina will trade Peppers. The owners meetings' begin Sunday in California. The draft is the last weekend of April, more than a month away.

To make a trade, here's what has to happen. The team and city have to appeal to Peppers and the deal the team offers has to appeal to Carolina. Since Peppers wants to play for only four teams, the odds of a deal being pulled off are probably slim.

But I still think it happens. I've said that from the beginning and have had knowledgable people try to dissuade me. I'm not dissuaded.

If the Panthers pay Peppers more than $1 million a game to play defensive end for them next season, I'll be surprised.